In a world where political polarization and disconnection are weakening democracy, is Botswana’s “Kgotla” system key?

end of October, greater than 80% of Botswana's electorate went to vote and voted out the incumbent government. The unexpected result was accepted by all parties and the outgoing president immediately announced his plans smooth transition of power.

This just isn’t unusual within the southern African country – Botswana repeatedly leads the mainland continent in annual comparisons.“Most Most Democratic Nations” lists. Since independence in 1966, Botswana has not only experienced a high degree of democratic stability, but in addition exceptional economic growth And low polarization and other social problems that plague other countries, each in Africa and elsewhere.

In May 2023, I undertook a two-week exploratory study in Botswana to search out out why. My findings, recently published indicate the crucial role of “dikgotla” – the normal village assemblies central to politics in Botswana and known of their singular form as “kgotla” – within the peer-reviewed online journal Social Sciences.

These assemblies, which have existed since time immemorial—perhaps dating back hundreds of years—act as public forums where residents meet repeatedly to debate public issues and hold officials accountable.

By participating within the monthly Dikgotla, residents of Botswana learn the way politics works, turn out to be actively involved within the political process and are higher informed in the case of national elections.

My research was based totally on statement, including attending a kgotla session in Modipane, a village in southern Botswana, and interviewing local experts, chiefs, residents and academics across the country in regards to the impacts of the dikgotla system.

Citizens meet monthly to debate matters that directly affect their lives, similar to the development of recent roads, hospitals and schools. Neighborly disputes may also be addressed and resolved in Dikgotla. And under the system, officials are consulted and held accountable for his or her decisions.

By observing a Kgotla session, I used to be capable of witness how Botswana's citizen-focused, deliberative democracy contributes to stability, social cohesion and economic success.

In short, the Kgotla tradition promotes good governance. After assessing other possible reasons for good governance – each economic and social – and comparing Botswana with other countries within the region, I imagine that Dikgotla are likely the driving force behind Botswana's good democratic performance.

Why it matters

At a time when countries around the globe are affected by rising numbers alienation of residentsDetachment and polarizationBotswana represents a case where direct democratic practices on the local level have effectively complemented a representative system.

The Kgotla tradition offers a compelling alternative to purely representative democracies, wherein residents are represented within the political process by elected officials.

Without understanding how government works and what elected officials and state bureaucrats do, residents are likely to depend on unfounded theories about “the system” and “those in power” and risk falling victim to political manipulation.

Botswana's democratic system mitigates this risk through the lively and regular participation of residents in local governance through Dikotla.

What sets Botswana apart is the proven fact that this traditional system has survived and been integrated into the country's current governance structure.

My research shows that strengthening democracy in postcolonial countries will be more successful by drawing on long-standing democratic traditions slightly than importing foreign political systems that will not reply to local needs but only those of the previous colonizers.

What's next?

The results of this initial exploratory study highlight the potential of Kgotla as a model for sustaining participatory democracy. In the long run, I plan to conduct a more comprehensive study covering different regions of Botswana, including areas with different ethnic composition from the Tswana-dominated south.

This will enable a more nuanced understanding of how Dikgotla works in several environments and whether regional differences influence their effectiveness. Examining these aspects will probably be critical to determining how Dikgotla can function a governance model.

The study of the Dikgotla in Botswana can also be part of a bigger research project aimed toward highlighting the African contribution to Western civilization. To advance this research agenda, I’m working on a book-length manuscript tentatively titled “The African Origins of Democracy.”